Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-18
THE BALD KN0BBERS.
Confession of One of the Gang-Arrests
Made.

Confession of One of the Gang-Arrests
Made.
OZARK, Mo-, March 17.-Eleven more
members of the Bald Knobbers organiza-
tion were arrested and brought here yester-
day, making nineteen in all now under
arrest and cohfined here. These persons
are believed 10 include the leading spirits
OF the gang and and also majority OF the
masked band concerned in the murder Of
VIM. Eden and Charles Sheen, last Friday
night. Dave Walker, leader, or Com
mander in Chief, rs he is called, OF the
Bald Knobbers, married man and men,
ber of the Baptist church, is among those
arrested, as also are c. o. Simmons, q Baptist
preacher, Joseph Hyde and VIM. Abbott,
members Of the Baptist Church. The 9TH
er prisoners are generally farmers and most
of them married, ranging in age from IA
to 81 years. Jos. Inman, one Of those ar
rested, made a confession yesterday after
noon, giving much information TO the au-
thorities regarding the organization and
telling how the killing Of Green Eden
come about He said that ON last Friday
night some thirty or forty members of the
Bald Knob Company, to which he belonged,
were called together by Dave Walker,
Chief to 90 down 10 Swan Greek and pour
out some illicit whisky which was being
sold by Buckeye Bill Roberts. Some OF
the gang were mounted and some on foot,
and rs the road was bad and the distance
four miles, Chief Walker told the un-
mounted men that they could go home
and that he and those who had
horses would look after the Roberts mat
ter. When the party got near Eden's
house some Of the young men proposed TO
20 there and have some fun and started for
the house, headed by William Walker, son
of Chief Walker. The latter called them
back and tried to persuade them not to 60,
but they gave no heed to either advice or
commands, and went to Eden's house
where they smashed in doors aud windows
and killed young Eden and Green. Mr..
Walker was shot in the assault on the
house and left his gun and mask in Eden's
yard and he was carried home by his
father, and is now believed to be concealed
in the woods. He is said
to be seriously if not IA
tally wounded, having received wound
in the groin supposed TO have been fired by
the elder Eden when his doors were broken
down. Inman did not 20 to the Eden
house and did not know that anybody had
been killed but heard firing and thought
some of the family had been hurt
As soon as this confession was made
Sheriff johnson handcuffed the men a.
criminated by Inman and they were great
ly overcome when they heard lnman had
confessed. Preacher Simmons was one OF
those who entered Eden's house. A strong
guard has been placed over the prisoners as
1t is apprehended the Bald knobbers will
attempt to rescue them. lnman has been
sent TO Springfield Jail at his own request,
he being in mortal fear of being lynched.
He say he joined the organization under
protest, being forced at the muZzle Of a
shot gun with rope around his neck to
swear allegiance to the deatbly fraternity
lie has had no sympathy with the band
and has attended their meeting because he
was afraid to refuse to do so. IL is believ-
cd by good citizens Of the county tnat the
first arrest of these men and their trial
will break up the order, and every effort
will be made TO that end.